EQUAL TREATMENT

My problem is with the tone of the letter by Richard Colburn regarding loans to blacks (Sept. 18). The letter represents the attitude and ignorance of some white people about blacks in America.

The point that the writer seems to be making was the same that I hear from others that somehow blacks have not done the same as others in this country-work hard and smart. This is also around about way of denying the negative effects of racism and preferential treatment given to whites in every aspect of American life.

The problem is that blacks were not (are not) rewarded at the same rate with equal access to jobs, housing, education, etc. Opportunity is the major item that makes America great. When opportunity is denied any group there is sickness in the system.

Banks are regulated by the government to set safeguards for the American consumer. A major safeguard should be that the bank is fair. Remember, people make banking decisions and they bring to that decision-making process prejudices and ignorances about ethnic groups that has nothing to do with the ability to repay a loan.

For your information, Mr. Colburn, African-Americans do have banks just like the Italians, the Irish, the Scandinavians, the Japanese and others. And just as these groups have the option to use an ethnic bank or any other, African-Americans should have the same options as long as the same rules apply.